President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, following the rate at which Covid-19 is becoming virulent, has re-imposed restrictions to save the situation.
In his latest address on January 31, 2021, update number 23, the President indicated that though the restrictions imposed in the past on our daily routine had been unpleasant, it was necessary to reintroduce them.
In effect, funerals, weddings, concerts, theatrical performances, and parties are banned until further notice. “Private burials, with no more than 25 people can take place with enforcement of social distancing, hygiene and mask wearing protocols. Beaches, night clubs, cinemas and pubs continue to be shut. Borders by land and sea remain closed.” President Akufo-Addo said.
“All workplaces, public and private, must employ a shift-system for workers, in addition to the use of virtual platforms for business or work. Conferences and workshops can take place with all the appropriate protocols.” He directed.
Nana Akufo-Addo added that “Restaurants should provide take-away services, and should, as much as possible, avoid seated services. The National sports Authority and the Ghana Football Association should ensure compliance with the 25% capacity rule in our stadia, with spectators respecting the social distancing rule and wearing of masks.”
Regarding religious gatherings, he entreats churches and mosques to “enforce to the letter, the protocols relating to attendance, i.e. the two hour duration, one-metre social distancing, mask wearing, use of sanitizers and the presence of veronica buckets, liquid soap and rolls of tissue paper.”
Schools authorities and teachers are also urged to enforce guidelines provided by the Ghana Health Service while urging the Ghana Health Service to continue their surveillance at the schools to help contain reported cases.
Meanwhile, tests to be conducted at the Kotoka International Airport among ECOWAS nationals according to the President was pegged at 50 United States dollars, while that for non-ECOWAS nationals remain 150 United States dollars.
The President also indicated that “ECOWAS nationals, travellers, who test positive, will bear the cost of the mandatory isolation and treatment. Ghanaian nationals, however who test positive, upon their arrival into the country will have their isolation and treatment costs borne by the State.”
Touching on procurement of vaccines, he is hopeful that by the end of June, “a total of 17.6 million vaccine doses would have been procured for the Ghanaian people. The earliest vaccine will be in the country by March.”
To assure the public of their safety in respect to usage of the vaccine, Nana Akufo-Addo said “As President of the Republic, I assure you that only vaccines that have been evaluated and declared as safe-for-use in Ghana will be administered.”
He also assured Ghanaians that the government will continue to monitor covid-19 situation and remain resolved in ensuring that we return to normal daily routine.
As at January 29, 2021, the number of active cases recorded was 5,358—an increase in number that stood at 1,900 two weeks ago. Number of deaths now stands at 416, having recorded 64 new deaths. Critical and severely ill now stands at 172.
All 16 regions have recorded new cases and the average rate of infection now stands at 700, an increase from an average of 200 two weeks ago since the President’s update.
